Springboks top All Blacks: Rugby Sevens gold the 'biggest' for South Africa

The Springboks ended New Zealand's 30-game unbeaten run at the Commonwealth Games with a 17-12 win in Glasgow on Sunday.

Gideon Sam, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president, said it was the best possible medal for his nation.

"I just want to say to you what the president of the Commonwealth Games federation said ... the biggest medal here, this year, the Commonwealth Games federation, for us is this medal," Sam said.

"We can go home now. We've captured the biggest medal, the biggest gold medal."

Springboks captain Kyle Brown said his side were just happy to be part of the South African team, who ended Monday with nine gold medals.

"The guys are ecstatic to say the least. Last night was something that will really live on in their memories for a very long time," he said.

"I know that we enjoy rugby a lot, I'm not going to say it's the biggest medal we could have taken home; we are very appreciative of all the medals the guys have brought in from Team South Africa and we're just happy to be part of such a great team."

Coach Neil Powell expressed his delight and pride in his team, particularly their courage in defence.

Addressing the side, he said: "The way you guys were fearless in defence and just throwing your bodies into tackles and that work in defence was unbelievable, and in attack we knew exactly what we wanted to do.

"We were very clinical and we hung on to the ball so well done.

"It's always tough to play against New Zealand in a final, we knew it would be a tough one and we stuck together and we pulled everyone through."